2007 tour de france

[gila]

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To me it is a 2 horse race, I do not think Evans/Levi/Kloden will win it. I do nto think they have it in them to put 4-5+ minutes on Rasmussen and or Cantador.

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Although I agree those two are surely the favorites (along with Evans still), I would not count the other three out just yet. These riders CAN crack (just look at Valverde, and Mayo, who both looked very strong just 3-4 days ago). Or, one of those three (Kloden, Levi, Evans), could look much stronger in the next two mountain stages. For instance, say Evans recovers and can just stay with those two. It is not much of a stretch to see him pull back 3 minutes on Ras, and 40 seconds on Contador in the ITT. Those two looked very stong in the first ITT coming off a few flat stages. But will they look THAT good coming off 3 days in the mountains facing a 55k FLAT itt? I doubt it.

Now, that being said, IF Contador and Ras continue flying up the mountains ahead of the others, obviously it's over for everyone else, but that is a BIG if.

Here is how I see their chances now.

1. Rasmussen
2/3. Contador/Evans
4. Kloden
5. Levi (with just barely a chance)


Edit: I guess the final ITT comes after some more flat stages, but it will still be much different for them without that climb in the middle. I would be surprised to see either of them in the top 20 on the last ITT.